Dual POV: Kaelen / Theron
The moment the lamp blew, the world contracted into the single, terrible fact of her falling.
Kaelen moved before thinking — a blur of bone and coat and pure, stupid speed. He caught her under the shoulders, felt the light go out behind her eyes, and for a breath he imagined the bond finally tearing clean. Every muscle in him clenched like it was trying to hold the ridge together with his own hands.
"Elara," he barked, because shouting her name was the part of him that still believed words could stitch flesh back. His voice was raw and it echoed.
Mira shoved him away with the force of fear. "You'll crush her," she snapped, but her hands were shaking so hard she couldn't pretend the command was anything but pleading.
